DeSantis Florists settling in at new Kenny location

Enlarge ImageBuy This PhotoLORRIE CECIL/THISWEEKNEWSMatt DeSantis works on an arrangement Jan. 2 at DeSantis Florists' new location. DeSantis Florists has moved to 4460 Kenny Road after being at its previous location since 1927.

There's no place like a new home, as far as the people at DeSantis Florists are concerned.

After having to move last year from the only location the family-owned business had known since its founding in 1927, the employees have all settled nicely into the new store at 4460 Kenny Road, company Vice President Matt DeSantis said last week.

More importantly, customers of the 85-year-old business have, for the most part, found the new site.

"It's fantastic," DeSantis said. "We love it.

"The exposure is great," he said. "I think the business has definitely picked up because of the move."

The relocation -- to a former cellphone store that was a Cord Camera shop before that -- was necessitated by development.

Preferred Living, a Westerville-based residential development firm, will build a 114-unit extended-stay facility on a 3.3-acre parcel that encompassed the old site at 865 DeSantis Court, off West Henderson Road.

DeSantis Florists and Greenhouses completed its move into the Kenny Road spot Nov. 5, DeSantis said, to ensure that all kinks from the relocation were worked out in time for the busy holiday season.

And it was a busy season, DeSantis said, with some new customers arriving and old ones remaining loyal.

"Our old standbys found us, no problem," DeSantis said.

It's true, he added, that a few people went to the old location, but signs soon directed them to the new one.

"Everybody comes in here and they're very impressed," DeSantis said.

Although the building is somewhat smaller than the original site for the business, the move will permit greater efficiency in day-to-day operations, company President Nick DeSantis has said

The new location won't mean a lot of changes in operations, Matt DeSantis said. The business will stay the course, rather than mess with success, he said.